The basics

Solitaire glossary

Solitaire has its own words. Here is what each one means, in a sentence or two.

The table

Tableau

The seven columns of cards where most of the play happens.

Column

One of the seven piles of the tableau. Also called a pile or a stack.

Stock

The face-down pile of leftover cards, 24 in Klondike. You turn cards over from it. Also called the hand.

Waste

The face-up pile next to the stock where drawn cards go. Together the stock and waste are sometimes called the talon. Only the top waste card can be played.

Foundation

One of four piles at the top where you build each suit from ace to king. A game is won when all four are full.

Moves

Build

To place a card on another according to the rules. In the tableau you build down in alternating colors.

Run (or sequence)

Two or more face-up cards in order and alternating colors that can move as one.

Draw 1, draw 3 (turn 1, turn 3)

How many cards you turn over from the stock at a time. See turn 1 versus turn 3.

Recycle (or redeal)

Turning the waste over to make a new stock when the stock is empty.

Empty column

A column with no cards. Only a king, or a run starting with a king, can go in it. See empty columns.

Face-down, face-up

Hidden and visible cards. Uncovering face-down cards is a main goal early in the game.

Games and results

Klondike

The classic solitaire game most people mean by solitaire.

Winnable deal

A deal that has at least one winning line. See winnable solitaire.

Deal number

The number a shuffle is made from. The same number gives the same cards. See deal numbers.

Patience

The British name for solitaire games.